Smart Helmet

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for a smart helmet includes a camera, a communication subsystem, and a control subsystem. The control subsystem processes the video data from the camera and the communication subsystem transmits this video data from the smart helmet to a destination device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims a priority to and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/628,151, filed on Oct. 24, 2011. U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/628,151 is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

This application claims a priority to and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/630,264, filed on Dec. 6, 2011. U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/630,264 is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to a smart helmet.Embodiments of the invention can also relate to smart non-helmet(non-protective) headgears such as, by way of example and not by way oflimitation, cowboy hats, sun-hats, or other types of headwear.

BACKGROUND

Spectators (e.g., fans or observers) can watch spectator events ontelevisions, computers, or other imaging devices from the grandstandview or grandstand perspective. A spectator event can be, for example,any event with an audience such as, for example, speeches, concerts,sporting events, or other types of events. A sporting event can be, byway of example and not by way of limitation, any competitive event suchas a football game, a horse race, a car race, a golf tournament, oranother sporting event.

Fan interests in any spectator event, such as a sporting event, can beincreased if the viewing experience of spectators can be enhanced.Currently, most sport fans view a televised sporting event from thegrandstand view, which is a limited two-dimensional view or binocularperspective. By enhancing the viewing experience, fans can have avirtual perspective, first-person perspective, and/orparticipant-perspective that allow them to experience the heart-poundingexcitement, intensity, sounds, and/or speed of a competitive sportingevent. This enhanced viewing experience allows the fan to virtuallyexperience the competitive action of a sporting event or other event.Therefore, it would be desirable to provide technologies that canenhance the viewing experience of and captivate the fans.

Conventional technology permits cameras to be mounted on participants insome sporting events. For example, car-mounted cameras allow the fans toperiodically view a car race from the perspective of the race cardriver. However, conventional technology does not provide a virtualpresence or enhanced viewing experience for captivating the spectators.

Based on the above discussion, the current technology is limited in itscapabilities and suffers from at least the above constraints anddeficiencies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the invention aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified. Note a same embodiment of the MVUI may havedifferent reference numerals in the various drawings. Additionally, theleft-most digit of a reference number can identify the drawing in whichthe reference number first appears.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1D is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance withan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a device with multiple cameras inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of smart helmets in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 are block diagrams of the processing of the signals as performedby the control subsystem in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless system that can beused to transmit wireless signals in an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, suchas examples of components, materials, parts, structures, and/or methods,to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. Oneskilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodimentof the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other apparatus, systems, methods, components,materials, parts, structures, and/or the like. In other instances,well-known components, materials, parts, structures, methods, oroperations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuringaspects of embodiments of the invention. Additionally, the figures arerepresentative in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustratethe precise shape or precise size of any element and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention.

Those skilled in the art will understand that when an element or part inthe drawings is referred to as being “on” (or “connected” to or“coupled” to or “attached” to) another element, it can be directly on(or attached to) the other element or intervening elements may also bepresent. Furthermore, relative terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “upper”,“above”, “lower”, “beneath”, and “below”, and similar terms, may be usedherein to describe a relationship of one element to another element. Itis understood that these terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures.

Although the terms first, second, and the like may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, parts, regions, layers, chambers,and/or sections, these elements, components, parts, regions, layers,chambers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Theseterms are only used to distinguish one element, component, part, region,layer, chamber, or section from another element, component, part,region, layer, chamber, or section. Thus, a first element, component,part, region, layer, chamber, or section discussed below could be termeda second element, component, part, region, layer, chamber, or sectionwithout departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference tocross-sectional view illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofrepresentative embodiments of the invention. As such, variations fromthe shapes of the illustrations as a result of, for example,manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Embodiments ofthe invention should not be construed as limited to the particularshapes of the regions or components/parts/elements illustrated hereinbut are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, frommanufacturing or particular implementations. For example, an elementillustrated or described as square or rectangular may typically haverounded or curved features due to normal manufacturing tolerances or dueto a particular implementation. Thus, the elements illustrated in thefigures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended toillustrate the precise shape of an element of a device and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention advantageously provide a cutting-edgeexperience and virtual experience for viewers of spectator events. Aspectator event can be any event with an audience such as, by way ofexample and not by way of limitation, speeches, concerts, sportingevents, or other types of events. A sporting event can be, by way ofexample and not by way of limitation, any competitive event such as afootball game, a horse race, a car race, a golf tournament, or anothersporting event. Embodiments of the invention can advantageously promotefan interests in any spectator event, such as a sporting event, byenhancing the viewing experience of the spectators.

In particular, embodiments of the invention advantageously provide animportant paradigm shift from the conventional binocular perspective (orconventional limited two-dimensional perspective) to a virtualperspective, first-person perspective, and/or participant perspective ofa spectator event for a viewer. For example, an embodiment of theinvention can be included in a jockey helmet and puts the viewer in themiddle of a horse race. As a result, the viewer can experience the racefrom a jockey's perspective and “can get some turf or dirt in his or herface” during the race. In other embodiments of the invention, the viewercan additionally hear the audio sounds of the game or event. Forexample, an embodiment of the invention additionally allows the viewerto hear the voices of jockeys and sounds of horses during a horse race,or words of participants in other spectator events. As one specificexample of a sporting event, horse racing has been unsuccessful incaptivating audiences, especially when compared to other mainstreamsports. Conventional technology only allows the fan to have atwo-dimensional experience, reminiscent of the binocular era that failsto use technology to improve the connection of the fan to sport. Incontrast, embodiments of the invention allow the viewers to “Ride theRace” from the point of view of the jockey, and to be able to feel thespeed, beauty, and intensity that is the “Sport of Kings”. Therefore,embodiments of the invention provide, for example, the fans a real-time“Virtual Presence”, meaning the fan can be sitting in his/her couch athome with a computer, mobile telephone with a viewing screen, or otherimaging device and can be simultaneously riding along in the KentuckyDerby.

Since embodiments of the invention can significantly enhance the viewingexperience, fans will be able to feel the heart-pounding excitement,intensity, sounds, and/or speed of a competitive sporting event. Thisenhanced viewing experience allows the fan to virtually experience thecompetitive action of a sporting event or other event, and captivatesviewers, leading to increased interests beneficial to sports or otherevents.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a smart helmet 1 in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The smart helmet 1 is, by way of exampleand not by way of limitation, a smart jockey helmet. While the drawingsherein disclose various embodiments of the invention as included in anexemplary smart helmet, it is understood that embodiments of theinvention can also be included in a smart non-helmet which arenon-protective headgears such as, for example, cowboy hats, sun-hats, orother types of headwear. In an embodiment of the invention, the smarthelmet 1 includes the following elements to be discussed below inadditional details: a helmet body 1A; a front facing camera 2; amicrophone 3; one or more side facing cameras 4; a rear facing camera 5;a communications subsystem 6 which may include a visible, externalaerial or include an aerial that is disposed inside of (or integratedwith) the helmet body 1A and is thus out of sight; a control subsystem 7containing a mobile computer function for digital system or an analog(analogue) signal processing unit for analog signals; a positiontracking subsystem 8 for containing a global positioning system (GPS)receiver for tracking the current position of the smart helmet 1; and atelemetry subsystem 9 which, for example, can generate data on thevelocity of the helmet 1, data on the angle of the helmet 1 compared tothe plane of the land, total time for every fractional distance (e.g.,total time for every two furlongs traveled by the helmet 1), and/orother data. The helmet 1 can include optional strap(s) 11 for securingthe helmet 1 on the head of the wearer.

In various embodiments of the invention, at least one or more of theabove-discussed components in the helmet 1 can be optionally omitted.However, each embodiment of the invention will include the smart helmetbody 1A, the communications subsystem 6, the control subsystem 7, and atleast one camera such as, for example, any type of camera as discussedherein.

The cameras 2, 4, and 5, microphone 3, subsystem 6, subsystem 7,subsystem 8, and/or telemetry subsystem 9 can be securely connected to(or removably connected to) the helmet body 1A by use of snap-onconnectors, welding, and/or other suitable connectors known to thoseskilled in the relevant art(s). Two components that are removablyconnected means that the two components can be connected together andcan be separated from each other.

In an embodiment, the smart helmet 1 is a protective helmet that can bework to provide head safety. By way of example and not by way oflimitation, the smart helmet 1 is a jockey helmet or other sportheadgear. However, as mentioned above, in another embodiment of theinvention the smart helmet 1 is a smart non-helmet which is anon-protective headgear such as, by way of example and not by way oflimitation, cowboy hats, sun-hats, or other types of headwear.

In an embodiment of the invention, the number of cameras on the helmet 1can vary. By way of example and not by way of limitation, the helmet 1can include only a single camera such as the front facing camera 2 whichcaptures a single wearer point of view, presumably from a forwardlooking vantage point. When the helmet 1 uses and includes more than onecamera, especially four or more cameras, for example, then the helmet 1can generate a 360 degree immersive-style video for viewing by the userand for providing the viewer an on-field or virtual experienceperspective of the spectator event.

By way of example and not by way of limitation as shown in FIG. 15, ifthe helmet 1 includes four cameras, then the cameras will be placed onthe helmet 1 at approximately 90 degrees apart. In this example, thehelmet 1 would include a camera providing the wearer POV (such as thefront facing camera 2) on the front portion 18 of the helmet body 1A, arear facing camera 5 on the rear portion 19 of the helmet body 1A, afirst side facing camera 4A approximately 90 degrees from the frontfacing camera 2 or rear facing camera 5 and at the first side 20A of thehelmet body 1A, and a second side facing camera 4B opposite to the firstside facing camera 421, where the camera 4B is at approximately 90degrees from the front facing camera 5 or rear facing camera 5 and onthe second side 20B of the helmet body 1A.

By way of example and not by way of limitation as shown in FIG. 1C, ifthe helmet 1 includes six cameras, then the cameras will be placed onthe helmet 1 at approximately 60 degrees apart. In this example, thehelmet 1 would include a camera providing the wearer POV (such as thefront facing camera 1), a rear facing camera 5, a first side facingcamera 4A approximately 60 degrees from the front facing camera 2 and atthe first side 20A, a second side facing camera 48 opposite to the firstside facing camera 4A where the camera 4B is at approximately 60 degreesfrom the front facing camera 2 and on the second side 20B, a third sidefacing camera 4C on the first side 20A and approximately 60 degrees fromthe first side facing camera 4A, and a fourth side facing camera 40 onthe second side 20B and approximately 60 degrees from the second sidefacing camera 4B.

By way of example and not by way of limitation as shown in FIG. 10, ifthe helmet 1 includes eight cameras, then the cameras will be placed onthe helmet 1 at approximately forty-five (45) degrees apart. In thisexample, the helmet 1 would include a camera providing the wearer POV(such as the front facing camera 2), a rear facing camera 5, a firstside facing camera 4A approximately 45 degrees from the front facingcamera 2 and at the first side 20A, a second side facing camera 4Bopposite to the first side facing camera 4A, where the camera 4B is atapproximately 45 degrees from the front facing camera 2 and on thesecond side 20B, a third side facing camera 4C on the first side 20A andapproximately 45 degrees from the first side facing camera 4A, a fourthside facing camera 40 on the second side 20B and approximately 45degrees from the second side facing camera 4B, a fifth side facingcamera 4E on the first side 20A and approximately 45 degrees from thethird side facing camera 4C, and a sixth side facing camera 4F on thesecond side 20B and approximately 45 degrees from the fourth side facingcamera 4D.

In other embodiments of the invention, more than 8 cameras can beincluded with the smart helmet 1 and these cameras would be spaced apartat a closer distance than the distance between the cameras included withthe smart helmet 1 of FIG. 1C or FIG. 1D.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the cameras 2, 4,and/or 5 is a camera that can capture 3-dimensional (3D) images. For a3D camera, the camera lenses could be, for example, stereo lenses tocapture 3D Images.

In an embodiment of the invention, any of the cameras 2, 4, and 5 can beremovably mounted via connectors to the helmet body 1A or can be weldedon the helmet body 1A. In another embodiment of the invention, any ofthe cameras 2, 4, and 5 can be embedded in the helmet body 1A. By way ofexample and not by way of limitation, a camera embedded in the helmetbody 1A would typically be a light-weight, small-sized camera such asthose cameras used (or those similar to cameras used), for example, inmedical endoscopy imaging or other imaging technologies.

In an embodiment of the invention, the cameras included with the smarthelmets disclosed herein can record high definition images such as, byway of example and not by way of limitation, approximately 1080presolution. In other embodiments of the invention, the cameras canrecord alternative lower quality formats such as, by way of example andnot by way of limitation, approximately 720p, 480p, or other resolutionvalues, in order to achieve cost saving and/or bandwidth savingrequirements as required by a user.

The microphone 3 to record the audio of the surroundings of the smarthelmet 1 can also be optionally used to accompany the cameras thatcapture images and/or record video. However, in other embodiments of theinvention, the microphone 3 can be omitted for purposes of achievinglower costs or less complex processing circuitries for the subsystem 6and/or subsystem 7. In an embodiment of the invention, the microphone 3can be attached to any suitable position on or inside of the helmet body1A. In FIG. 1A, the microphone 3 is shown as attached at the front 18and towards the top 30 of the helmet 1. However, in other embodiments ofthe invention, the microphone 3 could equally be placed lower or higheron the helmet 1, on the brim 32 of the helmet 1, or even close to thejockey's mouth to capture his/her utterances more clearly. For example,a microphone extension 34 can be optionally attached to the helmet 1 andmicrophone 3A, and this extension 34 can generally extend in thedirection of the mouth of the wearer so that the microphone 3 can moreclearly capture the utterances and/or voices more clearly.

In another embodiment of the invention, the smart helmet 1 is notlimited to a single microphone 3 and instead can include a plurality ofmicrophones. These multiple microphones can be used, by way of exampleand not by way of limitation, to capture stereo tracks and/or more audiotracks. By way of example and not by way of limitation, the helmet 1includes multiple microphones formed by the microphone 3 on the helmetbody 1A and the microphone 3A attached to the extension 34.

In an embodiment of the invention, the communication subsystem 6 is thecomponent of the smart helmet 1 that connects the helmet 1 to the restof the world for communication functions. The communications subsystem 6provides the smart helmet 1 with a digital or analog connection to alocal base station 42 setup to receive the smart helmet signals 43. Ifthe communications subsystem 6 has digital transmission capability, thenthe subsystem 6 can be communicatively linked directly viacommunications network 45 that will transmit the smart helmet signals 43from the subsystem 6 to a destination node 46 that is communicativelycoupled to the network 45. The network 45 could be, by way of exampleand not by way of limitation, the Internet or another wide-areacommunications network, a local communications network, a privatecommunications network, and/or another communications network. Fordigital communications connections, using WiFi/WLAN or a WAN, thecommunications 43 from the smart helmet 1 will involve Internet Protocol(IP) packets, but the communications subsystem 6 will indeed be an IPaddressable node.

Additionally or alternatively, communications subsystem 6 of the smarthelmet 43 can transmit the communications 43 via one or moretelecommunications networks 47 which can be, for example, amobile/cellular phone network, a GSM network, a CDMA network, a radionetwork, and/or the like. Such additional networks or optional networks47 would allow the smart helmet 1 to send the communications 43 to amobile or cellular telephone 48 being used by a user. Such networks 47could also facilitate the smart helmet 1 in sending the communications43 via the network 45 (e.g., Internet) to the mobile or cellulartelephone 48.

For an analog communications connection, the video, audio, and/or othersignals will be transmitted from the subsystem 6 to the destinationstation 42 by use of available analog transmission frequencies. Forexample, these analog communication signals can be RF signals of a givenfrequency such as, e.g., approximately 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz.

In an embodiment of the invention, the communications subsystem 6 mayinclude a visible, external aerial or have an aerial that is integratedinside a device itself that also contains the control subsystem 7, orhave an aerial that is integrated with the helmet body 1A, or have anaerial that is disposed within the interior surface of the helmet body1A. As defined herein, an aerial forms the external packaging (or box)containing the circuits in the subsystem 6.

In an embodiment of the invention, the helmet 1 includes a smart system52 having the communications subsystem 6 and the control subsystem 7. Inanother embodiment of the invention, the smart system 52 includes thecommunications subsystem 6, control subsystem 7, and at least one of theposition tracking subsystem 8 and/or telemetry subsystem 9. Othervariations in the smart system 52 are possible in other embodiments ofthe invention.

In one embodiment, the smart system 52 includes an antenna 53 for use intransmitting signals from the smart system 52. However, in anotherembodiment of the invention, the antenna 53 is not necessarily visibleto the observer and may be integrated with, built into, and/or plushwith the packaging 50 or with the helmet 1.

In an embodiment of the invention, any of the communications subsystem6, control subsystem 7, position tracking subsystem 8, and/or telemetrysubsystem 9 are contained within a packaging 50 which can vary in shape,configuration, and/or placement with respect to the smart helmet body1A. By way of example and not by way of limitation, the packaging 50 canhave a box shape (or rectangle shape) as shown in FIG. 1A. However, thepackaging 50 can also have other shapes and/or configurations. Forexample, the packaging 50 can have a more flush shape with respect tothe helmet body 1A, as will be discussed below.

By way of example and not by way of limitation, the packaging can becoupled to the rear portion 19 of the smart helmet body 1A as shown inFIG. 1A. However, the packaging 50 can also be coupled to other portionsof the smart helmet body 1A such as, by way of example and not by way oflimitation, the front portion 18, the top portion 30, the left sideportion 20A (FIG. 1B), the right side portion 20B, and/or other portionsof the smart helmet body 1A.

In an embodiment of the invention, the control subsystem 7 includes thecomponents for mobile computer functions for digital systems or theanalog signal processing unit for analog signals. The control subsystem7 collects and processes the video, audio, GPS, and/or telemetry data,and the communications subsystem 6 sends these data from the smarthelmet 1 to a destination such as, by way of example and not by way oflimitation, the local base station 42 or the node 46. By way of exampleand not by way of limitation, the control subsystem 7 can format thevideo, audio, GPS, and/or telemetry data into digital data streams ordata packets which the communications subsystem 6 can then stream asdigital signals via network 45 to the node 46. By way of example and notby way of limitation, the control subsystem 7 can modulate the video,audio, GPS, and/or telemetry data with a carrier wave of a givenfrequency and the communications subsystem 6 can transmit the modulatedsignal to the local base station 42.

In an embodiment of the invention, if the control subsystem 7 includes(or is embodied as) a digital control subsystem, then the digitalcontrol subsystem will receive the digital signals from each of theattached devices (e.g., camera 2, microphone 3, cameras 4, camera 5,position tracking subsystem 8, and/or telemetry subsystem 9) and maysubsequently alter or multiplex the digital signals before transmission.By way of example and not by way of limitation, examples of suchalterations of digital signals includes (1) stitching the variouscamera-captured video data together to provide a single video streamthat emulates a 360 degree video and/or (2) transcoding the video datafrom the format provided by the cameras to a network transmittableencoding format.

Methods for stitching of multiple camera video signals, as known tothose skilled in the relevant art(s), may be used on the digital signalsbefore transmissions of the digital signals by the communicationssubsystem 6.

By way of example and not by way of limitation, a network transmittableencoding format technique can be MJPEG or YUV raw video transcoded toMPEG4 video packaged in an MPEG-TS stream. Video encoding andtranscoding hardware may be included as part of the control subsystem 7.

By way of example and not by way of limitation, multiplexing of signalsinclude sending the video data and telemetry data across the network tothe same destination network devices or using the same protocol to sendthe signals. Multiplexing of the video and audio signals involves thecontrol subsystem 7 combining together these signals into a single mediastream. The communications subsystem 6 then transmits this media streamto a destination such as, e.g., the local base station 42 or/and node 46or/and remote device 48.

In an embodiment of the invention, for a control subsystem V thatincludes (or embodied as) an analog control subsystem, video and audiodata may be transmitted directly from the cameras and microphones by thecommunication subsystem 6 or routed through the control subsystem 7 thatconverts the analog data (by use of alteration or multiplexing) beforetransmission.

In an embodiment of the invention, a digital control subsystem can alsobe used with both digital and analog video and audio devices, dependingon the inputs and configuration of a controller 1202 (FIG. 12) in thesubsystem 7.

In an embodiment of the invention, the helmet 1 can optionally include aposition tracking system 8 which can be, by way of example and not byway of limitation, a GPS receiver for tracking the current position ofthe smart helmet 1 (i.e., current position data of the smart helmet 1).The GPS signals are received from the GPS tracking system 8 and sent tothe control subsystem 7 which, in turn, determines the method fortransmitting the GPS signal from the smart helmet 1.

As known to those skilled in the relevant art(s), a GPS receiver istypically a single, small chip (IC) when used in embedded applications.The chip is typically mounted on a board. When the chip is powered byvoltage and receives satellite signals, the chip emits a stream of NMEA(usually) encoded position data. In an aspect, the control subsystem 7is configured to process that position data in various methods. By wayof example and not by way of limitation, the control subsystem 7transmits that position data as part of the data stream. Examples of thechips that can be used in the GPS tracking system 8 include thefollowing products:http://www.micro-modular.com/gps.php?part=MN8010&go=brief orhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Channel-Micro-miniature-MN5010HS-GPS-Receiver/dp/B004UC3D76.In an aspect, the connection to the control subsystem 7 is, for example,via a serial connection at a (typically) low baud rate.

In an embodiment of the invention, the helmet 1 can optionally include atelemetry subsystem 9 which is a component for taking additionalmeasurements from the smart helmet 1. In an embodiment, the telemetrysubsystem 9 will capture telemetric data that includes velocityinformation of the smart helmet 1. In another embodiment, the telemetrysubsystem 9 is configured with a signal generating system for trackingat least one or some of the following telemetric data: the smarthelmet's velocity, acceleration, angles at which the helmet is pitched,total time travelled between fractional distances (e.g., every twofurlongs), and/or other information.

In an embodiment, a number of separate chips (ICs) or/and devicestogether will collect different telemetric data and the controlsubsystem 7 polls these devices for the various telemetric data. Inanother embodiment, the telemetry subsystem 9 includes only a singlechip for tracking a particular telemetric data such as, by way ofexample and not by way of limitation, the velocity of the smart helmet1. In another embodiment, the telemetry subsystem 9 includes a pluralityof chips, where each chip will track a respective telemetric data (e.g.,a first chip will track the velocity of the smart helmet 1, while asecond chip will track the angles at which the smart helmet 1 ispitched). Other variations in the telemetry subsystem 9 are possible inan embodiment of the invention. An example device that can be used totrack the telemetric data is a triple axle accelerometer disclosed inhttp://www.sparkfun.com/products/9269. This accelerometer is a dumbdevice that outputs acceleration as a change in voltage across aconnecting pin and is thus wired directly into the telemetry subsystem9.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least some of the elements orfeatures shown in one or more of the drawings identified herein (orshown in two or more different drawings identified herein) may beincluded as features of a particular smart helmet. Therefore, even if atleast two different features are shown in at least two differentcorresponding drawings, these at least two different features can beincluded in the same smart helmet in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention.

Those skilled in the relevant art(s) would realize based on thediscussion of the embodiments herein that various signal couplingtechnologies such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation,circuits, links, cables, wiring, electrical traces, wireless links orwireless methods, optical links, other signal coupling technologies,and/or combinations of various signal coupling technologies can be usedto couple the signals of one or more elements such as, e.g., camera 2,microphone 3, at least one camera 4, camera 5, subsystem 6, subsystem 7,subsystem 8, and/or subsystem 9. By way of example and not by way oflimitation, a link 14 is shown as coupling the signals of some of theelements of the smart helmet 1. However, the link 14 can couple some ofthe signals of (or otherwise communicatively couple) at least someelements of the smart helmet 1 in another type of configuration.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication system 200 in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. An embodiment of the communicationsystem 200 is one example of a system that can operate with a smarthelmet 1 as discussed above. However, based on the discussion herein,those skilled in the relevant art(s) will realize that an embodiment ofthe smart helmet 1 can be used with other types of communicationssystems.

In FIG. 2, the communications connections between the smart helmet 1 andan end user 205 are shown. The end user 205 can be any individual whowants to experience the virtual presence viewpoint provided by variousembodiments of the invention. An embodiment of the smart helmet 1connects to a local base station (B) 210 and transmits its capturedvideo streams, audio streams, and/or other data streams to the basestation 210. As discussed above, these other data streams can include,for example, current position data (i.e., GPS data) and/or telemetricdata.

In an embodiment of the invention, the base station 210 can monitor theincoming streams from the smart helmet 1. By way of example and not byway of limitation, the base station 210 includes a server 215 forreceiving and storing the incoming streams and a computer 220 forconfiguring the server 215 and obtaining data from the server 215. Inanother embodiment of the invention, the base station 210 can monitorincoming streams from multiple smart helmets 1 by use of multipleservers 215 for each smart helmet 1 or by use of multiple processes in asingle server 215 where each process can be assigned to receive andprocess the data streams from a corresponding given smart helmet 1. Anembodiment of the invention where multiple helmets provide data to aparticular destination device will be discussed in additional detailsbelow.

In an embodiment of the invention, the base station 210 may alter orenhance the received incoming stream as desired. By way of example andnot by way of limitation, the base station 210 can transcode itsreceived incoming stream and/or be configured to receive additionallocation-dependent data (e.g., racetrack provided data such as morningline information, current odds, jockey changes, horse scratches, and/orother information), and to then send the data to a server fabric (C) 225via a communications network 230 (e.g., the Internet). The data sent toserver fabric 225 can be the originally received incoming stream fromthe helmet 1 or can be an altered or enhanced stream that includes theadditional location-dependent data and/or other additional data.

In an embodiment of the invention, the server fabric 225 is formed bydistributed servers 235 which are a plurality of servers that arecommunicatively coupled together. The servers 235 will save the incomingmedia streams and data streams (from the base station 210) and performother transcoding or alteration as needed to provide a useful virtualpresence facility for end users 205. It is within the scope ofembodiments of the invention to use any suitable communication protocolsfor transmitting data between the distributed servers 235.

In an embodiment of the invention, the servers 235 will transmit themedia streams (e.g. video and/or audio data) and other data streams(e.g., helmet tracking data and/or telemetric data) via network 238 to aviewer application 240 of an end user 205. The network 238 can be, byway of example and not by way of limitation, a wireless cellular phonenetwork and/or a communications network such as, e.g., the Internet orother communications networks. By way of example and not by way oflimitation, this viewer application 240 can be a streaming video viewerin a portable device such as, e.g., a cellular phone of an end user 205.By way of another example and not by way of limitation, the viewerapplication of an end user 205 can be on a desktop computer, a portablecomputer, or computer notebook, or another computing device, as long asthe computing device can access a communications network such as, e.g.,the Internet and subsequently access the server fabric 225.

Those skilled in the relevant art(s), upon review of the variousembodiments herein, will realize that the viewer application 240 mayvary depending on the destination device used by the user 205. By way ofexample and not by way of limitation, for users on the Internet, theviewer application 240 can function as a Flash based viewer application,and thus the server fabric 225 (or base station 210) can transcode theaudio and video signals (and/or other data signals) from the smarthelmet(s) 1 into a Flash video FLV container, and the server fabric 225can then send the transcoded signal via network 238 to a viewerapplication 240 using RTMP. By way of example and not by way oflimitation, for users of destination devices and/or software such asiOS, iPhone, iPad and/or other portable and/or WAN-based (e.g.,Internet-based) technology, the server fabric 225 (or base station 210)can transcode the signals from the smart helmet(s) 1 to HTTP LiveStreaming. By way of example and not by way of limitation, for users ofdestination devices such as general cellular phones, the server fabric225 (or base station 210) can transcode the signals from the smarthelmet(s) to 3GP. Various elements in the system 200 can perform theabove transcoding functions and/or other transcoding options if otherdestination devices require these transcoding options or features in thefuture.

In an embodiment of the invention, the viewer application 240 componentsallows the end users 205 to experience the 360 degree video and virtualpresence in the environment of the smart helmet 1. In another embodimentof the invention, the end user 205 can shift his/her view as seen from aPOV of a first smart helmet to a POV of a second smart helmet or POVs ofother smart helmets. The end user 205 can control the viewer application240 to selectively receive media streams or other data streams from oneserver 235 a (that transmits streams from a first smart helmet). The enduser 205 can control the viewer application 240 to selectively receivemedia streams from other servers, such as, for example, the server 235 b(that transmits streams from a second smart helmet), the server 235 c(that transmits streams from a third smart helmet), the server 235 d(that transmits streams from a fourth smart helmet), and so on.

In another embodiment of the invention, the control and communicationsof the subsystems 6 and 7 may allow a direct connection to the Internetrather than requiring the subsystem 7 to connect to the base station 42for signal transmission from the smart helmet 1. In such embodiments,the smart helmet 1 can directly communicate with and transmit streams tothe servers 235 via the communications network 230 which can be, forexample, the Internet.

In an embodiment of the invention, the server fabric 235 is a collectionof servers that perform the functionalities discussed above. The serverfabric 235 can be considered a cloud system that can scale individualservices depending on demand and system load. In an embodiment of theinvention, the server fabric 235 can perform at least some of thefollowing services: capture services which involve receiving mediastreams and data streams, transcode services which involve convertingmedia streams into a format that is compatible for storage andstreaming, and transmit services which involve storage of streams anddissemination of the content of the streams to end users 205, catalogservices which involve storing event related content in one or morecatalogs or categories, routing services for routing the content betweenthe servers 235 and dynamic reconfiguration of services on the serversbased on network load, storage of media streams and data streams forfuture use such as later playback, video-on-demand services, selectionsbetween sensors that are supplying the media streams, video-on-demand ofrecorded events, selection of specific streams for a selected spectatorevent (e.g., jockey status updates, horse position information, latestwagering odds, or other updates), virtual presence services allowing auser to detect other friends present in a spectator event, textcommunications services between attendees, audio communications servicesbetween attendees, and/or video communications services betweenattendees.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a smart helmet 300 in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention. The smart helmet 300 includes ahead-mount portion 305 for mounting on the head of the wearer and alsoincludes a shell 310 that is removably connected to the head-mountportion 305. One or more connectors 315 are used to removably connectthe shell 310 to the head-mount portion 310. By way of example and notby way of limitation, the connectors 315 can be a pair of removablyconnectable snap-on components or buttons or other suitable connectors.The cameras 2, 4, and 5, microphone 3, subsystem 6, subsystem 7,subsystem 8, and subsystem 9 are mounted on the shell 310. Therefore,the components on the shell 310 are separated from the inner padding 315that rests on the wearer's head. The first shell 310 advantageouslyallows, for example, to be quickly removed from the head-mount portion305 and to be replaced with another hard shell (having at least one ofthe similar camera or cameras, or/and microphone, and/or subsystems) inthe event that a camera or another component in the first shell 310becomes defective or not operable. This swapping of a defective shellfor a replacement shell can be performed quickly on-site such as, by wayof example and not by way of limitation, a racetrack or another eventvenue.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least some of the elements orfeatures shown in one or more of the drawings identified herein (orshown in two or more different drawings identified herein) may beincluded as features of the shell 310. For example, in one embodiment,at least some or all of the camera 2, microphone 3, at least one camera4, rear camera 5, subsystem 6, subsystem 7, subsystem 8, and/orsubsystem 9 are included in the shell 310.

In another embodiment, at least one of the camera 2, microphone 3, atleast one camera 4, rear camera 5, subsystem 6, subsystem 7, subsystem8, and/or subsystem 9 is included in the shell 310, while at least oneof the camera 2, microphone 3, at least one camera 4, rear camera 5,subsystem 6, subsystem 7, subsystem 8, and/or subsystem 9 is included inthe head-mount portion 305 if that particular element is not included inthe shell 310. In this embodiment, the connectors 315 are configured topermit electrical coupling and/or signal coupling (and/or communicativecoupling) of the elements included in the shell 310 and elementsincluded in the head-mount portion 305.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a smart helmet 400 in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention. The helmet 400 includes a singlecamera 402 with a panoramic lens 405. By way of example and not by wayof limitation, the panoramic lens 405 provides a 360 degree view of theenvironment without the requirement for stitching of multiplelens-captured images. By way of example and not by way of limitation, apanoramic lens 405 is available from various commercial vendors such asthe 360Lens from EGG Solution Limited.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a smart helmet 500 in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention. As seen from a side view of helmet500, any of the cameras 2, 4, and 5 are coupled to a web 510 of strapmountings that are removably mounted on the smart helmet 500. The numberof cameras that are coupled to the web 510 may vary. Additionally oroptionally, in an embodiment of the invention, one or more microphones 3and/or other suitable devices may also be coupled to the web 510. Theuse of the web 510 of strap mountings permits the user to convenientlyand quickly attach to (the smart helmet 1) and detach from (the smarthelmet 1) the various cameras, microphones, and/or other suitabledevices. The package 50 (which contains at least one of the subsystem 6,subsystem 7, subsystem 8, and/or subsystem 9) may also be coupled to theweb 510 in one embodiment of the invention. The tensions on the strapmountings are adjustable based on adjustment selectors 515 that areinserted into and locked with the members 520 which are, in turn,securely attached to the bottom rim 525 of the smart helmet 500.

In one embodiment of the invention, a hook 530 can be coupled to (orremovably coupled) to the web 510, to member 520, or to a portion of thehelmet body 1A (typically near the hat rim 525), as an optional feature.However, in another embodiment of the invention, the hook 530 isomitted.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. The rear helmet portion 19 (or back of thesmart helmet 1) is shown in FIG. 6. In an embodiment, a package 605 hasa substantially flush configuration or design. In other words, thesurface 610 of the package 605 is embedded within the surface 615 of therear helmet portion 19, or the surface 610 and surface 615 aresubstantially at the same surface level. The package 605 includes atleast one of the subsystem 6, subsystem 7, subsystem 8, and/or subsystem9. A built-in antennal 620 can also be part of the package 605 and canbe configured to be substantially flush or not flush with the surface615. The antenna 620 is communicatively coupled to the subsystem 6,subsystem 7, subsystem 8, and/or subsystem 9.

In an embodiment of the invention, side mounted cameras 625 a and 625 bwith lens 630 a and 630 b, respectively, are mounted on the sides of thehelmet body 1A. By way of example and not by way of limitation, thecameras 625 a and 625 b are mounted to the side portions 20A and 20B,respectively. The cameras 625 a and 625 b can be removably coupled tothe side portions 20A and 20B, respectively, or can be integrated withthe side portions 20A and 20B, respectively.

In an embodiment of the invention, the side mounted cameras 625 a and625 b capture the point of view of the helmet user. The two cameras 625a and 625 b can be used to capture images and used to collect andgenerate 3D video. Any standard method for generating 3D videos frommultiple cameras that capture the same image can be used to generate a3D video from the images captured by cameras 625 a and 625 b. As knownto those skilled in the relevant art(s), commercially available 3Dcameras typically use twin lenses to recreate the two eyes of a human.

In an embodiment, the following components can be additionally oroptionally included in a smart helmet 1. By way of example and not byway of limitation, the helmet 1 includes a card slot 635, a USB slot640, and jacks 645, 650, and/or 655. By way of example and not by way oflimitation, the card slot 635 is an SD card slot or other types of cardslots. By way of example and not by way of limitation, the jack 645 isan A/V jack, while the jack 650 is a power connect jack. The jack 655can be another type of jack. By way of example and not by way oflimitation, the jack 650 can be a connector for a battery chargerconnector or can be a connector for another function. Any of (or someof) the jacks 645, 650, and/or 655 can be omitted.

In an embodiment, at least one of (or all of) the elements 635, 640,645, 650, and/or 655 are included within rim portion 660 which is nearor adjacent to the hat rim 525. The rim portion 660 can be flush withthe surface 615 or can protrude slightly with respect to the surface615.

In another embodiment, at least one of the elements 635, 640, 645, 650,and/or 655 is included within the rim portion 660, while at least one ofthe elements 635, 640, 645, 650, and/or 655 is included in the package605 if that particular element is not included in the rim portion 660.

In another embodiment, at least one of the elements 635, 640, 645, 650,and/or 655 is included in another portion of the helmet 1 such as, forexample, the front portion 18, side 20A, or side 203.

In an embodiment of the invention, the power provided to the elements635, 640, 645, 650, and/or 655 is powered by a power supply 658. In anembodiment, the power supply 658 can be disposed in various positions inthe helmet body 1A such as in, for example, the rim portion 525 oranother portion of the smart helmet 1. In an embodiment, the powersupply 658 can be a single battery, multiple batteries, one or morerechargeable power pack or battery, or a solar cell. Other suitablepower storage devices may be used as a power supply 658.

In another embodiment, additionally or optionally, a SIM card 670 from acell phone can be inserted in the slot 635. The SIM card 670 provides analternative form of communication via GSM communication or CDMA cellphone communication (instead of WiFi communication) from the smarthelmet 1 to a communication destination device.

Other types of input/output (I/O) signal connectors can be additionallyor optionally included in the smart helmet 1, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention, depending on the functionality to beperformed in the helmet 1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. At least one or all of the subsystems 6, 7,8, and/or 9 are included within the rim portion 660. In anotherembodiment of the invention, at least one of the subsystems 6, 7, 8,and/or 9 are separated from each other and disposed in other parts ofthe helmet 1. By way of example and not by way of limitation, thesubsystem 6 (as shown by dashed box 6), or/and at least another one ofthe subsystems 7, 8, and/or 9, is disposed in the rear portion 19 oranother part of the helmet 1 such as in top portion 1, side 20A, side20B, or front portion 18.

By way of example and not by way of limitation, the subsystem 7 (asshown by dashed box 7), or/and at least another one of the subsystems 6,8, and/or 9, is disposed in the left side portion 201\ or another partof the helmet 1 such as in top portion 1, rear portion 19, side 20B, orfront portion 18.

By way of example and not by way of limitation, the subsystem 8 (asshown by dashed box 8), or/and at least another one of the subsystems 6,7, and/or 9, is disposed in the right side portion 20B or another partof the helmet 1 such as in top portion 1, rear portion 19, side 20A, orfront portion 18.

In an embodiment of the invention, if any or at least some of theelements 6, 7, 8, and/or 9 are disposed in the rim portions 660, rearportion 19, side 20A, side 208, top portion 1, or/and front portion 18,then any or at least some of these elements can be disposed in groovesin the helmet casing 1A so that these elements are hidden from plainsight or are substantially flush with respect to the surface of thehelmet casing 1A. Other variations in the position or configuration ofthe elements 6, 7, 8, and/or 9 in/on the smart helmet 1 are possible inother embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a device 805 with multiple cameras 810 aand 810 b in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Thetwo cameras 810 a and 810 b can be used to capture images and used tocollect and generate 3D video. Any standard method for generating 3Dvideos from multiple cameras that capture the same image can be used togenerate 3D video from the images captured by cameras 810 a and 810 b.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a smart helmet 1 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. Side cameras 905 are coupled to the sides20A and 20B of the helmet body 1A. By way of example and not by way oflimitation, side cameras 905 a and 905 b are coupled to side 20A andside cameras 905 c and 905 d are coupled to side 20B. Side cameras 905 aand 905 d capture the images in the POV of user and facing the helmetfront portion 18. Side cameras 905 b and 905 c capture the images in therear of the smart helmet 1 and facing the helmet rear portion 19.

In another embodiment of the invention, the smart helmet 1 includes thefront-facing cameras 905 a and 905 d and the rear-facing cameras 905 band 905 c are omitted.

In an embodiment, the cameras 905 (e.g., cameras 905 a, 905 b, 905 c,and/or 905 d) are positioned relatively lower and substantially at aneye level position of the user. This position of the cameras 905advantageously avoids goggle interference and provides an eye level viewof the captured images (i.e., the captured images are the same imagesviewed by a participant wearing the helmet such as, for example, ajockey).

The two front-facing cameras 905 a and 905 b can generate a 3D image ofviews captured in the front of the smart helmet 1. The two rear-facingcameras 905 b and 905 c can generate a 3D image of views captured in therear of the smart helmet 1.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. The smart system 52 in the helmet 1 istethered to a cell phone 1005 for access to a wide area network 45 suchas, for example, the Internet. A cell phone 1005 includes a SIM card anda WiFi receiver and WiFi transmitter (or alternatively includes a WiFitransceiver). The cell phone 1005 is configured to use a typical cellphone signaling technology (e.g., GSM, CDMA, LTE, or other suitablewireless methods). Therefore, there is a WiFi connection 1006 betweenthe smart helmet 1 and the cell phone 1005 and there is a cellularwireless connection 1008 between the cell phone 1005 and a cell tower1009.

In an embodiment of the invention, the cell phone 1005 includes software1010 that receives digital data 1015 via WiFi from the smart system 52and that transmits (or effectively “routes”) the digital data 1015 tothe communications network 54 via the cell phone connection 1008 to thecell tower 1009. The destination devices will receive the signalstransmitting along the network 54 as similarly discussed above.

As discussed above, the communications network 54 can be, by way ofexample and not by way of limitation, the Internet, a local areanetwork, a private area network, or another suitable communicationsnetwork.

New data 1025 that needs to be transmitted to the smart helmet 1 (andsmart system 52) is also received by the cell phone 1005 from the celltower 1009, and the same software 1010 (which sent the digital data 1015from the smart system 52 to the cell tower 1009) also now sends new data1025 back to the smart system 52 via the WiFi connection 1006 betweenthe smart helmet 1 and the cell phone 1005.

Cell phone tethering, as discussed with reference to FIG. 10, might beuseful where the cameras on the smart helmet 1 (e.g., camera 2 or othercameras) can communicate to the Internet-based servers using WiFi toconnect to a cell phone 1005 and then the cell phone 1005 transmits thesignals across the Internet.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of multiple smart helmets 1100 a and 1100 bin accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The helmets 1100a and 1100 b transmits the signals 1105 a and 1105 b, respectively. Eachsignal 1105 a and/or 1105 b includes video data captured by cameras asdiscussed above. The signal 1105 a and/or 1105 b can also include audiodata, positional data, and/or telemetric data as also discussed above.

In an embodiment of the invention, a server 1110 receives the signals1105 a and 1105 b. As shown in FIG. 11, the server 1110 is remote fromthe smart helmets 1100 a and 1100 b. Therefore, the smart helmets 1100 aand 1100 b transmit the signals 1105 a and 1105, respectively, to theserver 1110 via wireless communications.

In an embodiment, the server 1110 includes a processor 1115 thatexecutes any software and/or firmware used by the server 1110. Computingelements that are known to those skilled in the relevant art(s) are notshown in the server 1110 for purposes of focusing the discussion onembodiments of the invention.

Each smart helmet is allocated (or dedicated) to an active listenermodule that waits for and processes incoming data from its assignedsmart helmet. For example, the active listener module 1120 a isallocated to the smart helmet 1100 a, while the active listener module1120 b is allocated to the smart helmet 1100 b. Typically, the activelistener modules 1120 a and 1120 b are executed by the processor 1115and are stored in a memory in the server 1120 a or are stored in anexternal memory that is accessible by the server 1120 a.

In an embodiment, the module 1120 a will store or buffer allcommunications 1105 a (from helmet 1100 a) into the memory area 1125 a,while the module 1120 b will store or buffer all communications 1105 b(from helmet 1100 b) into the memory area 1125 b. The subsequentprocessing of communications from a server to the end user device hasbeen described above with reference to FIG. 2.

Each active listener module can identify and will then subsequentlyprocess communications from its dedicated smart helmet based on anidentifier in the communications. By way of example and not by way oflimitation, the active listener 1120 a identifies the communication 1105a as transmitted by its dedicated smart helmet 1100 a based on theidentifier 1130 a in the communications 1105 a. The identifier 1130 acan be, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a frequencyvalue or a node address assigned to the smart helmet 1100 a. The activelistener 1120 b identifies the communication 1105 b as transmitted byits dedicated smart helmet 1100 b based on the identifier 1130 b.

The active listener modules 1120 a and 1120 b can be programmed in asuitable programming language and by use of suitable programmingmethods. If the active listener modules are programmed in the Erlangprogramming language, then the active listener modules are called“processes”. If the active listener modules are programmed in C++ or inJava, then the active listener modules are called “threads”.

In another embodiment of the invention, each smart helmet is dedicatedto a corresponding server. By way of example and not by way oflimitation, in this other embodiment, the smart helmet 1100 a sends thecommunications 1105 a to the server 1110 and the smart helmet 1100 bsends the communications 1105 b to the server 1140. The servers 1110 and1140 can be two servers in a server fabric 225 as described above withreference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 are block diagrams of the processing of the signals as performedby the control subsystem in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention. One or more video data (e.g., video data 1205 a alone, ormultiple video data 1205 a and 1205 b) are received and processed by thecontrol subsystem 7. By way of example and not by way of limitation, oneor more audio data 1210, positional data (e.g., GPS data) 1215, and/orone or more telemetric data 1220 are also received and processed by thecontrol subsystem 7.

The control subsystem 7 will apply signal manipulation on the one ormore video data 1205 and, if present, on the one or more audio data1210, positional data 1215, and/or one or more telemetric data 1220. Thecontrol subsystem 7 outputs the manipulated signal after performing thesignal manipulation. The control subsystem 7 includes the controller1202 for executing software modules and/or performing other functionsinvolved in the signal manipulation. In an embodiment, the signalmanipulation involves altering, multiplexing, stitching, interleaving,transcoding, encoding, modulation, formatting, and/or other manipulationof the data received by the control subsystem 7, depending on the formatof the received data.

The control subsystem 7 transmits the manipulated signal 1225 to thecommunication subsystem 6. The communication subsystem 6 then wirelesslytransmits the manipulated signal 1225 within the communications 43 thatwill be received by destination devices as discussed with reference toFIGS. 1A and 2. As discussed above, the communications 43 can be amodulated wireless signal, packets, streamed data, cellular phonesignals and/or other types of suitable communication signals.

In another embodiment of the invention, for a control subsystem 7 thatincludes (or embodied as) an analog control subsystem, video and audiodata may be transmitted directly from the cameras and microphones by thecommunication subsystem 6 or routed through the control subsystem 7 thatconverts the analog data (by use of alteration or multiplexing) beforetransmission. Other variations of features are possible in otherembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the smart system 52 isremotely displaced (or remotely disposed) from the smart helmet 1. Inthe above-discussed embodiments, the smart system 52 is coupled to thesmart helmet 1 in an adjacent position 1305. As discussed above, thesmart system 52 can include the communications subsystem 6, the controlsubsystem 7, the GPS subsystem 8, and/or the telemetry subsystem 9 in anembodiment of the invention, and the GPS subsystem 8 and/or telemetrysubsystem 9 can be omitted in other embodiments of the invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the smart system 52 is remote from(or moved off) the helmet 1 and included in the box 1310. The helmet 1will include at least one camera 2 and may also include the microphone3. As discussed above, the microphone 3 may be omitted in otherembodiments of the smart helmet 1. The helmet 1 can also includeadditional cameras.

The cameras (e.g., camera 2) will broadcast on a standard radiofrequency (e.g., approximately 2.4 GHz) and the broadcast 1315 isreceived by the box 1310 (and smart system 52) using an RF receiver. Thecameras transmit their video using radio waves over the short distancebetween the helmet 1 and the box 1310. The rider (or another user) stillcarries the box 1310. As an example, the box 1310 is in a saddle mountedposition (or is removably attached to the body or clothing of the user)rather than being built into (or attached to) the helmet 1. Therefore,in other embodiments of the invention, the smart system 52 (with itscommunications subsystem 6 and control subsystem 7) need not bephysically mounted to the helmet 1 and is instead remotely disposed fromthe helmet 1. This embodiment advantageously permits the following forthe smart helmet 1: (a) a simplified construction, (b) a reduced weight,(c) an ease of replacing components, (d) a reduced cost of helmets,and/or (e) other possible advantages.

In FIG. 13, the analog cameras (e.g., camera 3) would transmit theirsignals 1315 (e.g., video) to the smart system 52 in the remote box1310. The microphone 3 would also transmit their signals 1315 (e.g.,voice signals) to the smart system 52 if the microphone 3 is included inthe smart helmet 1. The smart system 52 would then wirelessly transmitthe signals 1315 to a destination node 1320 as similarly discussedabove. The communication link 1325 between the smart system 52 and thenode 1320 can be, for example, a WiFi connection as similarly discussedabove. The signals 1315 are analog signals because the cameras andmicrophone are transmitting their signals in a manner similar tostandard television broadcast signals or standard radio broadcastsignals, respectively, and are not transmitting along a digital link.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a smart helmet in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. The smart system 52 is included in a box1310 that is remotely disposed from the helmet 1 as similarly discussedabove with reference to FIG. 13. The smart system 52 is tethered to thecell phone 1005 as similarly discussed above with respect to FIG. 10.Therefore, the smart system 52 (which is remotely disposed from thehelmet 1) receives the signals 1315 from the camera 2 and/or microphone3 on the helmet 1, and the smart system 52 communicates these signals1315 as Wi-Fi signals 1015 to the cell phone 1005. The cell phone 1005then transmits these signals 1015 to the cell tower 1009 as previouslydiscussed above. The cell tower 1009 then transmits these signals 1015to the network 45 for routing to destination devices.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless system 1500 that canbe used to transmit wireless signals in an embodiment of the invention.The system 1500 is commonly-known as a SuperWifi system 1500. The smarthelmet 1 (and smart system 52) in the smart helmet 1 are configured totransmit the wireless signals to destination devices as similarlydiscussed above. The system 1500 includes a base station 1505 and awhite space antenna 1510. The station 1505 and antenna 1510 may beimplemented in a structure 1515 (e.g., a building). The system 1500 alsoincludes a terminal 1520 and an infrastructure 1525 for permittingbroadband communications (e.g., 1525 MB/s Broadband communications). Theterminal 1520 and infrastructure 1525 may be implemented in a secondstructure 1530 (e.g., a house or private residence). The components inthe infrastructure 1525 are known to those skilled in the art. Thestation 1505 and antenna 1510 along with the terminal 1520 andinfrastructure 1525 can perform wireless communication 1535 between thefirst structure 1515 and the second structure 1530. By way of exampleonly, the range of this wireless communication 1525 can be as much asapproximately 10 kilometers. TV White Spaces “SuperWifi” (TVWS) arevacant frequencies made available for unlicensed use at locations wherespectrum is not being used by licensed services, such as televisionbroadcasting. This spectrum is located in the VHF (54-216 MHz) and UHF(470-698 MHz) bands and has characteristics that make it highlydesirable for wireless communication

Those skilled in the art will realize, after reading the discussionherein, that other suitable materials or combination of suitablematerials can be used for the components in the smart helmets disclosedherein. Those skilled in the art will also realize, after reading thediscussion herein, that the assembly, manufacture, and/or constructionof the components of a smart helmet disclosed herein may be selectivelyvaried based on cost, ease of manufacturing, or/and otherconsiderations. Additionally, the parts or components in a smart helmetcan be suitably varied or substituted with other parts or components orshapes, as manufacturing and parts technologies improve in the future.

Other variations and modifications of the above-described embodimentsand methods are possible in light of the teaching discussed herein.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention,including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention aredescribed herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalentmodifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as thoseskilled in the relevant art will recognize.

These modifications can be made to the invention in light of the abovedetailed description. The terms used in the following claims should notbe construed to limit the invention to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of theinvention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, whichare to be construed in accordance with established doctrines of claiminterpretation.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for a smart helmet comprising: acamera, a communication subsystem, and a control subsystem on the smarthelmet; wherein the control subsystem is configured to process the videodata from the camera and the communication subsystem is configured totransmits the video data from the smart helmet to a destination device.2. A method comprising: providing a smart helmet including a camera, acommunication subsystem, and a control subsystem; processing the videodata from the camera; and transmitting the video data from the smarthelmet to a destination device.